Baja Coastal Sailing

Highlights

Camp beneath the stars on beaches along a mountainous coastline and take day hikes in the coastal desert

Learn wind and wave theory, meterology, and sailing rescue techniques

Excellent opportunities to see marine life unique to the Sea of Cortez

Snorkel in unique reef ecosystems

A NOLS sailing course will get you well on your way to sailing on your own and being a competent crewmember. You'll be aboard a unique yawl-rigged open boat, the Drascombe Longboat, which is a light, maneuverable craft perfect for learning sailing basics, exploring shallow coves, or hauling onto desert beaches. You'll learn coastal navigation on waters rich with marine life, from intricate sea fans to raucous sea lions.

This course follows natures rhythms, so you may find yourself up before dawn or sailing until dusk to take advantage of a favorable breeze.

There are bound to be some long, challenging days on the water, but there should also be time to wonder at the night sky or at the sea stars in a tidal pool. You'll learn to read winds and waves with confidence, work as a crew with your coursemates, and, on windless days, practice rowing and towing.

The boat will be your home on the water, but you'll also practice Leave No Trace camping on shore in this unique desert that greets the sea.

Dates

November 12 - December 03, 2014

January 04 - January 25, 2015

November 11 - December 02, 2015

Skills Learned

Sailing

When you choose to sail with NOLS, you'll learn how to read tidal charts, the finer points of coastal navigation and all the expedition skills you'll need in this dynamic environment.

“We had the wonderful opportunity to learn not only about sailing but about how to be a better human being. From my instructors and fellow NOLS students, I learned how to be patient, stay positive, maintain a humble attitude, and how to limit my impact on the world. I was able to self-reflect while being taught a valuable skill -- sailing -- that applies to all aspects of life. Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience.”

-Colby M.

Baja Coastal Sailing Grad

Location

NOLS Mexico

Imagine a land of stark contrasts: ocean and desert, cactus and pine, teeming seas and sparse shores.This is the Baja Peninsula, a land of unique wilderness opportunity. NOLS Mexico is the home of our ocean-based programs where you can learn how to sea kayak and sail as well as backpack.

You’ll learn about the rich diversity of this marine ecosystem, about the whales and sea birds and fish that call this place home. There will also be occasion to interact with the people of Baja California. We provide educational opportunities for local educators, students, and land managers, as well as financial aid and scholarships for NOLS courses in both Spanish and English.

We have a long-standing partnership with the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, collaborating with their departments of marine biology, geology, and alternative tourism.

We have been off the grid in Coyote Bay near Mulegé in central Baja for over 30 years, and our high-tech, low-impact facility was specifically designed to meet the needs of our students.